Chapter 84 Spring Eaves Gap: Little did Xie Qinghe know he had other plans...
Whether Xie Qinghe had other plans or the chaos in the capital left him no time to think, he never brought up the topic of their marriage again from that day on.
Ning Lu, however, was consumed by inner turmoil as she watched him grow increasingly haggard.
Based on her understanding of Xie Qinghe, she knew that he would only speak with a hint of hesitation when he was extremely uncertain.
She was afraid that if she avoided answering once, he might not ask again for a long time.
I don't care about titles or status, but I'm very worried about his inner thoughts.
During this time, Xie Qinghe was busy receiving guests, and there were often times when it was inconvenient for her to be by his side. So she took advantage of this free time to come to Wenxi to inspect the shop and learn to read the account books.
With a good mentor by her side and hands-on experience involving real money, she actually mastered the logic of checking accounts and inspecting the estate in just a few days.
Aside from her usual smugness, Ning Lu was even more alarmed by the man's meticulous planning and schemes for her.
At the time, Ji Zheng's words, "robust and stable," led her to believe it was some low-risk investment. Now, she understands that these shops not only have a stable income but also involve a wide range of industries.
As long as she doesn't impulsively pursue any grand career, even if some natural disaster or man-made calamity occurs, she will be financially secure for half her life.
On graduation day, my classmates and roommates either got into big companies through their own abilities or had their families paving the way for them.
She was the only one wavering between going home and working in a big city.
At that time, she thought that if she could become rich overnight, she would also wish she had a powerful backer to rely on.
Thank God, she was genuinely just confused at the time, not making a wish.
After a long day of work, Ning Lu's mind was still a little numb. She took a step forward blankly, but Wen Xi pulled her back, bringing her back to her senses.
"Be careful, young lady."
Looking closer, I realized I was standing in front of a shop, with pedestrians making way for me on both sides.
In the middle of the road, a frail scholar, looking lost and disoriented, followed beside the carriage, staggering with every step.
The scholar looked to be no more than twenty years old, his face ashen and his eyes lifeless.
Inside the carriage...
Ning Lu looked closely and saw a pair of black boots peeking out from behind the carriage curtain.
The boot toes were stained with blood, making it look like a corpse.
Looking back at the scholar, she then noticed that there was bloodstain on his sleeves and chest.
It looks familiar; I feel like I've seen it somewhere before.
"He is Tan You, the son of Tan Zhang, a senior official in the Censorate, and currently serves as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy."
Seeing her puzzled expression, Wenxi introduced the details in a deep voice, as if reciting a familiar story.
"You know him?"
“I don’t know him.” Wenxi frowned and sneered, her words laced with contempt: “However, his father, Qin Zhang, is an old rival of Lord Xie.”
"Your reputation today is half thanks to that Lord Qin."
That person is a bad person.
Seeing that Qin You was mentally unstable and seemed unable to handle anything, Ning Lu smiled bitterly when she compared him to the scheming and sickly powerful minister in her own home.
"I think Qin You and Xie Qinghe are about the same age."
“With someone plotting to protect him, he can naturally live a life of integrity and purity, untouched by worldly affairs. With Qin Zhang dead, this young master Qin's good days are naturally over.”
"When the time comes, it will be clear whether he is a true gentleman or a hypocrite."
Wenxi shrugged, turned to look at Ninglu, and smiled her usual cheerful smile. She raised her hand slightly and said, "It's getting late, Miss. You should go back soon. The master will worry if you stay too late."
Although Ning Lu didn't understand the grudges involved, she still followed her instructions and got into the carriage, heading in the opposite direction from Qin You.
It was completely dark when I arrived home, and the mansion was lit up.
Seeing that she was absent-minded as soon as she came out of the shop, Qinghuai couldn't help but worry. He helped her step over the threshold and gently shook her to remind her.
"Young lady, is something troubling you?"
What could possibly be bothering me?
Ning Lu pouted and made a face, then blurted out, "Wenxi just said I'm clever and have a talent for management."
This makes us have to give credit to the quality education of the 21st century.
Although she doesn't seem as cultured as the ancients, she can at least spout some nonsense.
"I have to go and show off to Xie Qinghe, let him know that I have the ability to keep him as a mistress."
Upon hearing this, the servants on both sides of the path lowered their heads, their shoulders trembling slightly.
Qingzhi, who was used to being disrespectful, burst out laughing.
"If that day ever comes, don't forget us, girl. We'd like to see it too."
As they chatted and laughed, they walked around the corridor and arrived at the place where the front yard and the inner house met, which was where Xie Qinghe's study was located.
The lights were still on, and people were bustling about.
"He's been in the study the whole time?"
None of the servants behind her dared to answer, so Ning Lu changed the question.
"Has Physician Luo come by?"
"I've been here twice, and both times I left in a huff."
Upon hearing the sound, Ning Lu immediately quickened her pace.
Upon arriving at the door, they discovered several unfamiliar eunuchs standing there.
In recent days, Wei Chun and Wei Zhan have been either interrogating people in prison or leading troops to arrest people, and have not been seen all day. They have no time to guard the gate, so they have replaced them with other trusted confidants.
She couldn't recognize all the faces, but she could still distinguish between eunuchs and palace guards.
He glanced at the guards on one side and asked knowingly, "Who's inside?"
"Yes, it is Eunuch Wu."
Ning Lu subconsciously rolled her eyes. Midway through, she made eye contact with the eunuch on duty by the gate, and awkwardly stopped, forcing out a reasonably polite fake smile.
He gritted his teeth, stared intently at the crack in the door, and wrapped his fingers around his cuffs.
Seemingly obedient and well-behaved, she was actually already considering whether to wait patiently or take off her cloak and sneak in through the window to eavesdrop.
During these ten days, apart from a few trusted officials who came to discuss politics with Xie Qinghe, the person who disturbed him most frequently was probably the emperor.
Ostensibly visiting someone in the hospital, it was actually a way to inquire about their progress.
However, usually it's Guo Chi who comes, but today for some reason it's Wu Quan instead.
Hesitatingly, the door opened from the inside, and several elderly women hurriedly retreated.
Just as Wu Quan was about to reach them, they suddenly heard Xie Qinghe's leisurely voice.
"Please pass on this message, sir."
The tone was not high, yet it was chilling.
Wu Quan suddenly shuddered and turned around to kneel on the ground.
"Please speak, sir."
"I never break my promise to the Emperor."
"This servant understands..."
"And... the palace etiquette is too complicated." He paused for a moment: "Ning Lu has no need for it, nor does the imperial family need to bother with it."
"My lord...this..."
Wu Quan mustered his courage and looked up, only to catch a glimpse of murderous intent in Xie Qinghe's eyes. He quickly lowered his head again, swallowing back the words that were about to come out of his mouth.
Ning Lu, who was outside the door, looked up at the row of nannies standing in front of her and understood.
This is aimed at her.
Should we teach her manners?
Squinting and tilting her head, Ning Lu blinked innocently, her fake smile frozen, and put on a look of heartbroken regret.
Despite being a palace maid with white hair and cold sweat at her temples, she still curtsied neatly in return.
"Greetings to Miss Ning."
"Greetings, Eunuch Wu."
Wu Quan hunched over, wiped away his cold sweat, and saw Ning Lu as soon as he stepped out the door. He quickly calmed himself down and put on a new face.
Xie Qinghe was highly skilled, and the emperor was wary of him, yet had no choice but to respect him.
This rough-and-tumble woman could be considered a thorn in the side of the imperial family.
"His Majesty has been concerned about Your Excellency's health and specially ordered me to send over some tonics. In addition, Your Excellency's birthday was a few days ago..."
Wu Quan paused briefly, not missing Ning Lu's instantly stiffened expression, and forced out an even more gentle and obsequious smile: "Lord Xie doesn't have many trusted people, and His Majesty was afraid that those around him might not be careful. He specially ordered the Imperial Kiln to expedite the production of Your Excellency's favorite Ru ware tea set. In addition, a variety of tonics were also prepared. They were sent to the palace this morning, and I was asked to bring them over this afternoon."
To kill someone is to destroy their spirit.
Ning Lu's lips twitched as she glanced at the boxes the men were holding, and she let out a few cold laughs.
"His Majesty is benevolent."
Ning Lu spoke slowly and deliberately, before grinding her teeth to pieces.
She had prepared in advance to share her street experiences with Xie Qinghe, but in her anger, she threw them all to the back of her mind. Before Wu Quan had gone far, she flung her sleeves and barged into the room.
The door creaked open, and the heavy footsteps came to an abrupt halt.
The first thing that catches the eye is Xie Qinghe leaning back in his rosewood armchair, his eyes closed and his brows furrowed.
He struggled to swallow the pill.
With heavy breathing, her jade-like skin and the porcelain bottle in her hand almost became one, trembling uncontrollably in her chest and abdomen.
Ning Lu frowned and held her breath, still indignant, but she also made her movements quieter.
He bent down to pick up the blanket that had fallen to the ground, shook off the dust, and then covered his thin body with it.
With her eyes lowered, she focused on tucking the corners of the blanket under him. Amidst the rustling sound, her sleeves were tugged by a slight force.
Looking up, she saw his eyes were unfocused, and he was quietly gazing at her through a misty haze.
What a beautiful lotus emerging from the water! I feel pity for her.
The chilling, murderous aura from just moments ago was nowhere to be seen.
Xie Qinghe was still trembling weakly, not yet recovered from the excruciating pain.
She was already heartbroken and furious, and coupled with Wu Quan's sarcastic remarks earlier, she couldn't muster any gentle words at the moment. She glared at him sideways and remained silent.
Sensing that something was amiss, Xie Qinghe pursed his lips and forced himself to raise his hand to fiddle with the beads on her wrist, trying to get her attention back.
That long, slender, fair hand with distinct knuckles was so alluring that Ning Lu took a deep breath, stiffly turned her head away, and refused to look at him.
The beads trembled, and a cool sensation touched my wrist.
Seeing that he was still persistent, she defiantly flipped her hand, and the entire string of beads slid down her forearm and fell vertically into Xie Qinghe's palm.
The warmth of her touch vanished from Xie Qinghe's palm, and a hint of disappointment flashed across his eyes. He tried to raise his hand again, but he was too weak to do so.
I was happy when I left home this morning.
Xie Qinghe suddenly realized that she must have overheard his conversation with Wu Quan, but he wasn't sure how much she had heard.
After an intense stabbing pain in his chest, a tingling sensation spread, leaving him speechless for a moment. He just stared blankly at the swaying string of beads, lost in thought.
When the noise around her stopped, Ning Lu peeked out of the corner of her eye and saw his pitiful, distraught appearance.
Damn it.
Despite being ill for so long, her bone structure has been holding her up, and she still looks incredibly beautiful, like a piece of white jade or glass.
Lust is a double-edged sword...
She awkwardly shifted her body, thinking of sitting on his large desk to create some distance between them and clear her head, but this very movement triggered Xie Qinghe's panic.
The man suddenly looked up.
Today she was wearing a red robe and skirt embroidered with plum blossom patterns, her little face flushed and radiant.
He sat upright on the spacious table, hands supporting him at his sides, feet swinging, exuding a carefree and leisurely air that made him appear even more agile.
The stars in Xie Qinghe's eyes dimmed after a moment of brilliance.
He raised his hand in front of him and then let it fall back onto his knees, turning to the side and coughing lightly.
Ning Lu's heart tightened.
The days Changzhou was in a coma had long been a hidden pain in Xie Qinghe's heart.
So much so that he would become anxious and insecure at the slightest sign of her distress.
"What? Afraid I'll run away?"
Xie Qinghe gave a self-deprecating bitter smile and did not respond.
Once he caught his breath, he grabbed her wrist again, put the beaded string back on, and stubbornly refused to let go like a child.
"The etiquette in the palace is too complicated... It's better not to learn it."
"Hmm~ I don't need it anyway."
He shook his head from side to side, mimicking Xie Qinghe's tone in a sarcastic manner.
This time, without even looking at his eyes, Ning Lu sensed something was wrong: "No, I mean I know what you mean, but I just can't use it."
Realizing she still hadn't explained things clearly, she took a breath and tried to organize her thoughts again.
“I mean, I know the emperor is like a weasel paying respects to a chicken, he has no good intentions.” Ning Lu said gruffly, “Don’t think that I can trap you by making me learn those stupid etiquette rules.”
"I won't get angry about this."
She understands everything.
Xie Qinghe breathed a silent sigh of relief.
"What angers me is something else."
The breath he had just breathed a sigh of relief caught in his throat again, and Xie Qinghe was speechless with shock.
Turning his head to look, Xie Qinghe saw Ning Lu with a dignified expression, filled with righteous indignation. His heart skipped a beat, and he listened attentively.
"You've never told me when your birthday is."
"Why does he know your birthday but I don't? It's one thing if you don't tell me, but no one in the manor has ever reminded me either."
Shouldn't the steward remember the master's birthday in advance?
Xie Qinghe was about to explain when Ning Lu interrupted him again: "If this continues, who will be able to tell who your girlfriend is, me or him?"
"Of course it's you."
Although he didn't know what "girlfriend" meant, Xie Qinghe was quite clear about who was the "woman" between the two of them.
Ning Lu didn't give him a chance to bluff his way out, and continued to ask seriously, "Do you know what this is called?"
“This is called vying for favor. He’s trying to establish his position as the principal wife in front of me and put me in a bad light. Wu Quan is a shrewd man; he must have seen through my ignorance. You’ve made me lose today; you’re guilty.”
Xie Qinghe hadn't seen Ning Lu so spirited in a long time, and he was somewhat taken aback, then lowered his eyes and chuckled softly.
With her eyes opening, the jade statue in the shrine, which seemed so far away, gained a touch of warmth and humanity. Ning Lu secretly breathed a sigh of relief and gently touched his earlobe with a hint of pity.
"It's no wonder they didn't remind you; I stopped celebrating my birthday after my mother passed away."
"It was by chance that His Majesty remembered."
Between him and Jiang Xu, there was a complex web of interests mixed with genuine feelings, and he could no longer distinguish between them.
Wu Quan came today ostensibly to show his concern and bring a gift, but it was merely to remind him that the beginning of spring was approaching and that there were some things that needed to be dealt with as soon as possible.
Ning Lu, unaware of his thoughts, still lamented, "At least I should eat a bowl of longevity noodles."
On one hand, there was an unwavering determination to win the emperor's favor; on the other hand, there was a desire to find a way to make this person feel relaxed and happy for a few more moments.
His eyes darted around, and his entire face was almost scrunched up like a steamed bun.
Seeing this, Xie Qinghe smiled even more and leisurely agreed: "It's the same whether we eat it today or not."
These words were indeed like a good medicine; her little face immediately relaxed, and she beamed with joy.
"Really? You have an appetite today? Shall we go now?"
With his approval, Ning Lu rallied her spirits and was ready to take action.
In the blink of an eye, he was no longer visible.
The room fell silent, and Xie Qinghe slightly tightened his empty hand.
"How is it?"
Wei Chun emerged from the shadows, his clothes still stained with blood, and deliberately lowered his voice.
"Qin You has brought Qin Zhang's body back to his residence. All the officials who spoke out are now living in fear."
"My lord, with Qin Zhang dead, it will be even more difficult to deal with those censors."
"No rush, let's wait a bit longer."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com